Ufuoma McDermott opens up on 12-year battle with kidney disease

Nollywood star Ufuoma McDermott has bravely opened up about her intense 12-year battle with chronic kidney disease, a journey that’s brought her dangerously close to the edge multiple times. Speaking with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the 43-year-old actress revealed her health had deteriorated from a stage three diagnosis to stage four, placing her in a constant fight for her life.

McDermott shared the heavy toll this illness has taken on her, including the life-threatening challenge of managing her weight. “People don’t understand when I say I can’t afford to gain weight,” she confessed. “This isn’t just about appearance—gaining weight could cost me my life. I have young children, and I’ve pushed my body to the limit.”

Reflecting on the past year, she described it as one of her hardest, filled with moments of overwhelming fear and vulnerability. She recalled a sobering conversation with her doctor, who urged her to rest. However, McDermott’s determination to fulfill her professional commitments led her to negotiate a compromise, promising, “I’ll sleep today if you let me go tomorrow.”

Despite adjustments to her medication to help manage her blood pressure, McDermott was compelled to keep moving forward, returning to work with unyielding resolve, even as her health struggles loomed in the background.